06/03/2006

PM meeting a 'stock-take' on progress

The British and Irish Prime Ministers are expected to use a meeting later this week to perform a "stock-take" on how to move restoration of the Northern Ireland institutions forward.

Ahead of the meeting with Bertie Ahern on Wednesday, the Prime Minister's official spokesperson (PMOS) said that the Mr Blair had a "clear idea about what he believed should happen." But the PMOS said it should come as "no surprise" that there were differing views between the Northern Ireland political parties.

He said that what was important was that the two Governments "agreed on how we moved things forward."

However, Downing Street have played down any prospect of an announcement after Wednesday, or even a joint press conference.

The PMOS said that it was not the Government who could dictate to people what they should do, but the parties had to agree and work together to try and reach a consensus.

"There was no point imposing something on the parties if they did not agree."

The Northern Ireland Secretary of State and Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern are also expected to be present at the Wednesday meeting.

(SP/GB)

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